African people used rocks to tell stories long before there were books, phones, or even paper! People drew images on boulders and cave walls across Africa, from the deserts to the mountains. This is now known as rock art.
These drawings serve as historical hints. They paint a picture of life thousands of years ago. Let's take a quick look at this incredible form of art.
What Is Rock Art in Africa?
Rock art refers to paintings, carvings, or drawings created on rocks or within caves. Some are more than ten thousand years old! It is therefore among the world's oldest forms of art. These drawings provide archaeologists with information about life in ancient Africa.
People made use of sticks, stones, and organic colours found in plants or soil. They drew animals, people dancing, hunters with bows and arrows, and even strange symbols. Drawings of animals from some caves that are no longer found there demonstrate how the land has changed over time.
It's similar to opening an ancient picture book. You can find it everywhere! African rock art can be found in Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, and the Sahara Desert. Due to their significance in teaching African history and cave art, many rock art sites are now protected.
Manda Guéli Cave in the Ennedi Mountains, northeastern Chad. Source: WikipediaÂ
Who Created These Illustrations?
Various African groups created rock art. The San people of Southern Africa are a well-known example. Beautiful cave paintings of people and animals are what they are famous for.
There are images of cows, giraffes, and elephants in the Sahara Desert, demonstrating that this arid region was once lush and teeming with life.
What did the images represent?
Some drawings were about:
- Hunting: showing the methods used to track animals
- Dancing and rituals: maybe part of a celebration or ceremony
- Animals: both natural and supernatural
- Symbols: shapes that meant something to the people at the time
The exact meaning of each drawing is unknown to anyone today. It's entertaining, though, because they encourage us to imagine!
Why Teach It to Children?
It's history made easy: Children can learn about history without the use of large books. Real people's stories are captured in pictures by rock art!
It sparks creativity: Children can experiment with creating their own cave paintings using paint, paper, or chalk, which encourages creativity.
It shows Africa's long history: Children learn that it began long before slavery or colonization.
We can use African rock art to help kids learn about history, art, and storytelling. Try drawing your own cave art using chalk on the sidewalk or brown paper at home. Imagine what stories you would tell if you lived thousands of years ago.
If you could draw one thing on a rock to tell your story, what would it be; your pet, your family, your favorite food? Let us know in the comments!
